Potential increase in demand for overnight care due to Covid

With the impact of the most recent covid lockdown being felt keenly by all, Radfield Home Care Wakefield and Dewsbury’s director, Jackie Gillen, believes this is also likely to lead to an increase in the numbers of those requiring additional overnight home care and support services.

The support traditionally offered by family and friends has been severely curtailed due to travel and social restrictions, leaving many worried and unsure as to whether their loved ones are managing well throughout the day. Jackie has already seen the demand for extra home care support first hand as she explains:

“We have had conversations with clients and their loved ones around providing increased levels of support, including requests for overnight care. With families not able to visit as much, we have seen an increase in the number of care hours required. This has been coupled with more people wishing to remain in their own home environment, where they are most comfortable, for as long as possible. We are able to provide tailored solutions to clients and their loved ones to support them to remain independent, safe, and connected at home.”

A growing cause for concern for Jackie has been the impact recent social regulations have had on the older generation, namely the reduced likelihood of them being able to have anyone to stay overnight to provide them with support. Pre-covid, following a fall or being discharged from hospital, a family member may have stayed with them until they are confident and able to manage by themselves. However, with household mixing now at a minimum, and the desire to keep the most vulnerable safe, Jackie believes there will now be a growing unmet, and unseen, need for overnight home care and support. A provision that Radfield has identified and has ensured is in place for it’s clients.

The aim of overnight home care and support is to provide a sense of reassurance to the client, and indeed their loved ones, that help is at hand at all times of the day – this could be e.g. medication support, help with toilet visits or aiding their mobility throughout the night. Jackie believes that it is important that those requiring extra support explore what overnight care options are available to them, by contacting their local authority or a professional home care support company who will be able to detail the type of help available.

“We provide bespoke solutions to support our clients to ensure they remain safe, connected and as independent as possible at home. The first step would be for a potential client, or their loved ones, to contact us to discuss their individual needs and wishes. From there, we can offer a care package to support you as much or as little is required, from daily visits, to overnight care, all the way to 24 hour care and support. All of our care professionals are highly trained and experienced at delivering excellent care no matter what time it’s needed.”

The message from Jackie is clear, the unmet need for overnight care must be recognised and addressed – the current covid pandemic has highlighted this more now than ever. Overnight support is available from a range of sources and everyone should feel safe and supported, whatever the time of day.

If you would like to find out more about Radfield Home Care and the care support services offered, you can visit www.radfieldhomecare.co.uk or [email protected] or 01924 271 394.